Castles in The Air

Two castles in one day today, but both in the same place at Schwangau in Bavaria. They are both associated with King Ludwig II, he grew up in one and built the other literally within sight (he even had a telescope installed to check progress!). A beautifully located and busy tourist destination with lots of Americans and Japanese in evidence.

We visited Castle Hofenschwangau first, a relatively easy climb up the hill and steps for a very informative guided tour by Pieter. This castle is still owned by the Dukes of Bavaria, although no longer occupied, and was the retreat for King Maximillian and Queen Mary. Their son Ludwig grew up here and dreamt of having his own castle, which he built just over the valley. It was never finished and he only occupied part of it for 120 days before his untimely (and suspicious) death.

Neuschwanstein is Ludwig's ultimate, fairy tale, fantasy castle with turretts and ostentatious decorations and paintings in tribute to his hero the composer Wagner. It sits on the side of a mountain and access is partly by foot and partly by either bus or horse drawn carriage,  or a 40 min hike up the mountain (which was not an option we considered). We took the shuttle bus to Marie's  bridge which overlooks a deep gorge with waterfall and then the 15min steep walk down to the castle. The guided tour takes in the parts of the castle that were completed on the 1st, 3rd and 5th floors. (Have not walked up and down so many steps for a long time). The tour was not as interesting, not helped by dim lighting, but Ludwig was certainly eccentric and had some amazing objects and fittings designed for his castle. One guide described him as the Michael Jackson of his time, there are certainly similarities in their flamboyant lives and the circumstances of their deaths.

We decided not to walk down the hill, but take the horse drawn carriage instead and in doing so avoided a drenching in a heavy shower. Another tiring but very absorbing day with loads more  photographs to sort out and guide books to read. Spent the night on a big stellpaltz by an Alpine  ski station at Nesselwang on route to a bit of rest and relaxation at Lake Constance. There were about 50 others, mostly large German motorhomes.